Recording Academy readies benefit

MAP Fund fights addiction in music community

The Recording Academy takes up some of its most important work on Friday when it mounts its annual MusiCares MAP Fund benefit, which provides money for addiction treatment and sober living resources in the music community.

This year’s benefit at Club Nokia salutes former first lady Betty Ford, whose own battle with addiction led her to found the Betty Ford Center. Her daughter Susan Ford Bales, chair of the Ford Center, will accept on her behalf.

The femme-skewed evening will feature performances by Charlotte Caffey and Kathy Valentine of the Go Go’s, former Bow Wow Wow warbler Annabella Lwin and Exene Cervenka, among others.

DJ Samantha Ronson will spin during the dinner, honoring the DJ AM, who died from an accidental drug overdose last August after appearing at the 2009 MAP event.